So today, 13 years ago I became Mrs. Stephen Davis. It was a fantastic day that we got to celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately, due to the videographer’s unsolicited comments that can be heard throughout the wedding day video, I do not have video footage from that day. While I do not have the video I do have the ceremony that Stephen and I planned. I will pull it out and re-read what we wrote. There were a few that took issue with what we wrote and planned. In the end, we put our hearts into the planning of our day and we were blessed by those that joined in the Celebration.
I have a few favorite parts of the service, items that I have wanted in my wedding since I was a little girl. The first is processional music. I did not want to walk down the aisle to the traditional “Here Comes The Bride”. I selected “Jesus, Joy of Mans Desiring” for my walk down the aisle. Alex played it beautifully. The only thing that could have possibly made it better would have been if the Celtic Woman had been there to perform it live.
As a little girl watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers I always wanted someone to sing (not me because I knew I could not hit the high notes) “Wonderful, Wonderful Day” from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Jill Romin graciously sang this song as we walked back down the aisle.
Remembrance: Music Sweet Rose of Sharon
At this time, as the Grandmother and Mother of the Bride and Groom come forward, Jessica and Stephen would like us all to remember with them a very special person, Sharon Rose Green, a loving wife, mother, and great friend, who, while unable to be here with us today is carried now and forever in our hearts.
Grandma and Sally light single candles
Opening Prayer
Dearest and beloved God, We pray for Jessica and Stephen as they enter into the sacred vows of marriage, that they may live according to their promises each to the other and that they may create a marriage that is filled with joy and tenderness.
We pray that they may enter into the deepest mysteries and wonders of love and therein create a safe haven in their hearts for each other. May they know the peace that comes from truly being received and known and accepted by one another.
May their love for each other enrich them as individuals and provide a safe and loving environment for the family they are creating through this union.
Guide them and bless them, Beloved, that they may know that there is nothing more priceless than the gift of loving one another as they journey through life side by side.
Scripture Reading John 2 Wedding at Cana
“On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.” 5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[a] 7Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Matthew, Chapter 18, verse 20, Jesus says: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” As represented here today, in this union of Jessica and Stephen, Christ is among us.
Gathering of Words
For those of us blessed by a true partnership of love, we feel safe in the presence of our loved one. There is no need to hide any part of ourselves for fear of being judged or rejected. We can just be together from moment to moment, believing that those moments will thread together into eternity.
There is a gentleness to the presence of love that softens life’s rough edges. It makes us somehow braver to go forth into the world knowing that the shelter of someone’s love awaits us at day’s end.
We are most vulnerable when we love. We place our trust in another to honor us, and care for us, treasure us and to receive our love.
In love, we trust that the other will provide a safe haven in which we can experience and share the fullness of our being with one another. And in so doing, we trust that our lives will be far richer than had we chosen separate journeys through this world.
We trust our love will fill us fully and make us wiser and more beautiful beings. We find that our union graces our lives with balance, a sweetness beyond any we have ever tasted, and a treasure beyond and measure of value we have ever known.
Musical Selection – Alex Flur Elise
Charge
Jessica and Stephen, you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today. You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners.
As in tending the flowers in a garden, the quality of your marriage will reflect the effort you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind, and tender relationship.
Is it in this spirit and for this purpose that you have come here to be joined together?
Jessica & Stephen: Yes, it is.
Let this be a marriage that enhances your individuality and allows you to know the greatest gift that God has given us- The ability to love one another and to be loved.
We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together.
We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you can both grow in love.
Stephen Matthew Davis, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?
Stephen: Yes, I do.
Jessica Renee Cortenay Green, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?
Jessica: Yes, I do.
Declaration of Support
I invite each of you as members of this gathering to indicate your support for Jessica and Stephen by answering “I will” to the following question:
By God’s grace, will each of you do everything you can to uphold and care for these two persons in their marriage?
Guest: I will
I encourage you as families and friends to always choose your loving in your thoughts about and interactions with Jessica and Stephen. Stand beside them, not between them. Come to them with hearts of peace, not judgment. Honor them and yourselves as children of God. Honor their marriage as a sacred union with God. Show them your kindness, your support, and your loving hearts.
Wedding Vows
Stephen
In the name of God, I, Stephen, choose you, Jessica in the presence of our friends and families to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health to love and to cherish till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance: and thereto I pledge thee my faith.
Jessica
In the name of God, I, Jessica choose you, Stephen in the presence of our friends and families to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health to love and to cherish till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance: and thereto I pledge thee my faith.
Ring Exchange
Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in thy peace and continue in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Stephen: “May this ring encircle your finger as my love does your heart.”
Jessica: “I receive your love as my greatest treasure here on earth.”
Jessica: “May this ring encircle your finger as my love does your heart.”
Stephen: “I receive your love as my greatest treasure here on earth.”
The lighting of the Unity Candle
This flame you ignite before us today is strong and shining brightly. May you tend it well so that it may shine throughout your lives. May the warmth of the love it symbolizes forever bring you courage, reassurance and comfort and fill you both with strength and Joy.
Final Blessing
Now, because you have chosen one another and pledged to love each other for all the days of your lives, before God and before this loving community of family and friends, it gives e great joy to pronounce you husband and wife.
You may now kiss your bride.
Bride and Groom Exit with Wedding Party
Jill Romin sings “Wonderful, Wonderful Day”